CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The next morning, Luke and his grandmother stopped at his mother’s house before heading to the lodge for the wedding brunch. Reese answered their knock, his face drawn and tired. A sense of dread settled in Luke’s stomach.
“We came to see if Mom felt up to the brunch, but I have a feeling the answer is no.”
Reese scrubbed a hand over his face. “Abby had a bad night. She’s finally sleeping now, so I’m going to stay with her in case she wakes up. Please give my regrets to Cam and Scarlet.”
“I can stay with Abby,” Phyllis said, setting her purse on a side table and unzipping her coat. “You go with Luke to the brunch, Reese.”
Reese caught Phyllis’ hand, stopping her from taking off her coat. “I’m not fit company for any kind of social occasion at the moment.”
“But I want to look after her. I want to look after both of you.”
The pain in his grandmother’s voice punched Luke in the gut. He couldn’t imagine losing a child, no matter how old they were.
“I know you do, Phyllis,” Reese said quietly. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I’ll make you a deal. Later today, you can cook and clean and fuss over us as much as you want, but right now Abby and I both need some sleep.”
Phyllis inhaled deeply and let her breath out slowly. She nodded and reached for her purse. “You’re right. You should sleep. But I’m coming over this afternoon to cook. Don’t think you can stop me.”
Reese gave her a tired grin. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
She nodded again, and Luke saw that her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He put his arm around her small shoulders and led her to the door.
Reese followed them. “I nearly forgot. Abby wants you to ask Maggie to come see her tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Is Mom going to be up for a visit?”
“I don’t know, but she was adamant I give you the message.”
Luke wasn’t sure why his mother was so insistent about speaking to Maggie, but it seemed important to her and he wasn’t about to argue. “I’ll tell Maggie.”
Reese nodded and closed the door behind them. Luke helped his grandmother into his truck and reached across her to fasten her seatbelt. “I’m not a child, Luke. I can do up my own seatbelt.”
He was glad to see her feisty spirit re-emerge. “You’re not the only one who wants to look after their family.”
“No, I guess not.” She sighed. “I wish it was me, Luke. I wish I could take her place, take away her pain. I’ve lived a long, happy life. I’d be happy to go if it meant Abby had more time.”
Luke’s chest ached with sorrow. He squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to lose either of you, Grandma.”
A tear ran down her wrinkled cheek. “I know, Luke. I know.”
He closed her door and walked around the truck to the driver’s side, trying to get his emotions under control. How could he leave his grandmother all alone?
Maggie rose early to help Celeste get the wedding brunch prepared. With the help of a couple of servers from Miller’s, they set up the steam table with French toast, scrambled eggs, waffles and bacon. The cold food table was loaded with a variety of sliced fruits, cheeses and a selection of desserts, including delectable chocolate truffles, several kinds of cheesecake, and a red velvet cake topped with cream cheese, all made by Celeste. When the set-up was complete, and she was satisfied everything was in place, Maggie checked her watch. Guests would begin arriving very soon.
Drew entered the dining room alone, grinning as he walked toward her. Maggie tensed. She hated the idea of being cruel but, now more than ever, she had to tell him there could never be anything between them.
“Good morning.” He swept out his arm to indicate the buffet tables. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
“Good morning, Drew.” She untied her bibbed apron and pulled it over her head. “I can’t take much of the credit. Our sous-chef, Celeste, prepared most of it. Is your family on their way to brunch?”
“They’ll be here in a few minutes. I came early because I was hoping to talk to you.”
“Oh, I see. Drew, you’re very nice, but—”
He set his hand on her arm. “It’s okay, Maggie. You don’t have to let me down easy. I saw you dancing with Luke Carlsson last night. I could tell by the way you looked at him your heart is someplace else.”
She couldn’t deny it. “We have a history.”
“Harper mentioned it. She said you were childhood sweethearts.”
Maggie smiled at the innocent term. “Something like that.”
“She also said Luke is going back to California.”
“That’s true.”
Drew linked his fingers with hers, his eyes growing solemn. “Don’t let him break your heart, Maggie. You’re far too special.”
She wished it was within her power to prevent a broken heart. “I’ll do my best.”
“If he gives you any trouble, say the word, and I’ll kick his ass all the way back to Napa Valley.”
That made her laugh. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “I’m sure we won’t need to resort to violence, but thanks for the offer.”
“You deserve to be treated right.”
His words caused a lump to form in her throat. “You’re a wonderful person, Drew. Some day, some lucky girl is going to realize what a treasure you are, and she’s never going to let you go.”
He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss, his lips lingering against the tender skin of her wrist for a moment before releasing her. “I wish that someone could be you. But I know it can’t be.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I wish you nothing but happiness, Maggie.”
“I wish that for you, too.”
He nodded, his expression more serious than she’d ever seen it. “I’m going back to check on my family, see if they’re ready for brunch. I’ll see you later.”
With that, he headed out of the dining room. Maggie sighed. She hated hurting him, but it would have been far worse to let him think they could be more than friends. She hoped he found someone who would treat him right. He deserved that.
Soon, guests began filing into the dining room. Her sisters and their husbands arrived and mingled with wedding guests before lining up at the buffet tables for food. Maggie joined the line-up, keeping one eye on the door for Luke and his family, worried by their lateness.
Finally, at half past ten, Luke and his grandmother arrived. As soon as they entered the dining room, Maggie knew something was wrong. Both wore subdued expressions, and the solicitous way Luke held his grandmother’s arm made her think he was trying to protect her. She went to greet them, bracing herself for bad news.
She held out her hands to Phyllis. “I’m glad you could make it. Will Reese and Abby be joining us?”
“No,” Luke said. “Mom’s resting right now. She didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. He acknowledged her sympathy with a nod but avoided her gaze.
Phyllis squeezed her hands before releasing them. “Reese said to tell you she wants to see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” She’d thought she’d give Abby a few days to rest after the excitement of the wedding. Did this mean she believed her time was even more limited than they’d first believed? The thought made her stomach clench in pain. She glanced at Luke.
“It seems to mean a lot to her,” Phyllis said.
“Then I’ll go,” Maggie said simply. She swallowed and gestured to the brunch buffet, pasting a smile on her face. “Please help yourself and then join us at our table. We’ve saved seats for you.”
Luke nodded wordlessly and with a hand on Phyllis’s back, he led her to the buffet table. Maggie hated to see him in pain like this. Last night, as they danced, he seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. She hoped she was part of the reason for that. It had been so good to be in his arms.
More than good, if she was honest with herself. Magical. The way he’d looked at her made her almost believe they had a future together.
But reality was never far away. Last night, they’d let themselves forget the reason he’d come to the lodge in the first place – Abby’s illness. The morning reminded them her death was creeping ever closer.
Maggie returned to the table she was sharing with her sisters and their husbands, her appetite for the remains of her brunch now diminished. She sipped her coffee instead.
“Abby and Reese aren’t coming?” Harper asked.
Maggie shook her head and relayed the information she’d received from Luke and Phyllis. A stricken look came over Harper’s face, and the rest of the group went quiet and solemn.
“Please, let’s try to stay upbeat for their sakes,” Maggie whispered. “Abby wouldn’t want to put a damper on your wedding, Scarlet.”
“No, she wouldn’t.” Scarlet’s attempted smile looked strained.
Luke and Phyllis brought their plates to the table and sat next to her. One of the servers brought coffee and filled their cups. Phyllis lifted hers in a toast. “Congratulations, Cam and Scarlet. May you have as lovely a married life as you had a wedding celebration. Thank you again for inviting me. I had a wonderful evening.”
Scarlet’s smile was completely genuine this time. “It meant a lot to us to have you at our wedding, Phyllis. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
Everyone resumed eating and conversation centered on the wedding the previous night, an appreciation for the food and a discussion of the weather. By mutual, unspoken consent, they steered away from the topic on everyone’s mind. Luke stayed mostly silent, responding to questions, but otherwise keeping his thoughts to himself. Maggie wished there was something she could say that would make things better.
Tessa and Hope emerged from the kitchen, each carefully carrying a bowl. Their giggles provided a much-needed ray of sunshine in the room. They’d become fast friends since Hope arrived at the lodge.
Cam took their bowls from them and placed them on the table before helping the girls into their seats.
“Where’d you get the ice cream?” he asked.
“From Hope’s mom,” Tessa said as she kneeled on her chair and reached for her spoon. “She said if we ate all our breakfast, we could have it.”
“Good for you.” Cam tucked a paper napkin into the neckline of Tessa’s shirt.
Luke did the same for Hope, who gave him a charming gap-toothed smile. “Thank you, Mr. Luke.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Hope. I wouldn’t want you to get chocolate ice cream on your pretty sweater.”
She grinned at him and stuck a heaping spoonful into her mouth. Luke grinned back at her with genuine amusement and affection, and Maggie’s heart melted a little. She was grateful Hope had accomplished what she’d been unable to.
Once she finished, Luke wiped the ice cream from Hope’s face and lifted her down from the chair. Hand in hand, the girls ran to the kitchen, giggling all the way.
Phyllis smiled. “When I was kid, ice cream made me that happy, too.”
If only a bowl of ice cream could alleviate the troubles of the world.
A man stood at the dining room entranceway, holding a parcel wrapped in brightly colored paper. Maggie didn’t recognize Willy Eklund until he removed his cap. She hadn’t seen him since he’d turned up drunk at Harper’s wedding last June and made a scene. Her stomach clenched as she braced herself for more of the same.
“Harper,” she whispered. “Willy is here.”
Harper and Ethan both turned to watch him, the tension in Ethan’s body telling Maggie he was ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble. Willy scanned the room, then headed straight to their table. Maggie held her breath, but as he came closer, she was relieved to see that his gait was steady, his clothes clean, and his eyes clear. His grey hair had been pulled back into a neat ponytail. He stood beside Scarlet’s chair and held out the package, the ribbons trembling slightly.
“I want to congratulate you on your wedding, Scarlet, and to offer you this as a wedding gift.”
He handed the parcel to her, then stepped back as if preparing to leave. Scarlet set the parcel on the table and got to her feet, grasping Willy’s hand before he could run away. “Thank you, Willy. That was very kind of you.”
“I wish you much happiness, Scarlet. You deserve it.”
She gave him a hug, then turned to Cam. “This is my husband, Cameron Hainstock. Willy is an old friend of the family.”
Cam rose and shook Willy’s hand. “We’ve met. Thanks for coming, Willy.”
He nodded. “I’ve seen you with Reese at the AA meetings.”
Maggie winced. Obviously, Willy didn’t get the anonymous part of AA.
“You’ve been going to AA?” Harper asked.
“Yes,” Willy said with another nod. “Been sober forty-five days now. And I have you to thank for it.”
“Me?”
Willy twisted his cap in his hand. “When you washed your hands of me and said you wouldn’t pick me up the next time I was too drunk to drive, I hit rock bottom. You were my last friend. I want to make you proud.”
“Oh, Willy.” Harper jumped to her feet and hugged him. “I am proud of you.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and held onto her. When Harper pulled away, he pulled a small package wrapped in tissue paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “I didn’t get you anything for your wedding. I’d like you to have this.”
Harper unwrapped the package and held up a man’s heavy, gold chain. “What’s this?”
“Your mother gave that to me for my birthday, not long before she died.”
She tried to hand it back to him. “This is yours. I can’t take it from you.”
Willy put his hands over hers. “I want you to have it. Miranda would want you to have it, too.”
For a moment Harper looked like she would argue the point, but at last she nodded. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”
“Willy, why don’t you grab a plate and sit down with us?” Maggie said. It seemed like the hospitable thing to do for an old friend, especially one who’d been working so hard to retain their friendship.
He gave her an appreciative smile. “I’d like that. Thank you.”
Maggie helped him fill his plate and carried orange juice and coffee back to the table for him. The spot beside Luke where Hope had previously sat was cleared by one of the servers.
Once Willy got himself settled, Luke offered his hand. “I’m Luke Carlsson. I’m working temporarily at the lodge.”
“I remember you.” Willy shook his hand. “Grew up in Minnewasta, didn’t you? Abby’s boy.”
Luke smiled. “That’s right.”
“I’m sorry she’s so sick.”
“Yeah. So am I.”
“I see your dad around town. Have you talked to him since you’ve been home?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen him.”
“Jerry’s a good man. Got a nice family now, I hear. Have you met them?”
Luke fiddled with his cup. “Yeah, I’ve met them.”
“You’re lucky to have such a nice family, especially now, with Abby…you know.”
Luke’s expression closed down, his feelings concealed as if he’d pulled a shutter across his face. He grabbed his coffee cup and drank. Then stood up. “Excuse me. I need more coffee.”
Maggie watched him go, feeling the anguish in every step. She hurt for him. Even if he were to make some kind of peace with his father, it could never make up for his mother’s loss. No one could replace Abby.
Willy set down his knife and fork. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“His father is a sensitive subject,” Maggie said.
“Yeah, I can imagine. But he needs to forgive him, for his own good. Forgiveness frees you. Otherwise, that anger sits inside your soul forever.”
Maggie glanced toward the buffet table where Luke was examining the contents of the steam table. He was stalling, most likely. She was afraid Willy might be right. Unless Luke could find a way to forgive his father, and come to terms with his mother’s impending death, anger and despair would eat away at him.
Willy dug into another pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small package, this one wrapped in red tissue. “I have something for you, too. Something your mother gave me years ago.”
He handed the package to her. Maggie held the little rectangular gift in her hand, hesitating. “Why are you giving me this, Willy? I’m not getting married.”
“Because Miranda was special. I loved her very much.” He added quickly, “As a friend. She was my best friend. Open it, Maggie. Please.”
Nodding, Maggie ripped open the tissue paper to reveal a tiny framed picture of her mother as a teenager. She couldn’t have been more than fifteen, and she was laughing as if sharing a secret with the picture taker.
“That’s my favorite picture of her,” Willy said. “It’s how I want to remember her.”
Maggie tried to give it back. “Then you should keep it.”
He closed his hands over hers. “No. It belongs to you. She belongs to you. And I need to make amends. For AA.”
With that, Willy picked up his fork and resumed eating. Maggie stared at the picture, not sure what to make of this gift, or of him. She wanted to ask him more about his relationship with her mother, but this wasn’t the place. Still, she had questions. What kind of relationship had her mother and Willy really had?